Context: Kongthong, a Meghalayan village in the East Khasi Hills district has been chosen as one of the three entries from India for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)’s ‘Best Tourism Village’.

• Apart from Kongthong, the two other villages that have made it to the list are Pochampally of Telangana and Ladhpura Khas in Madhya Pradesh.

Interesting facts about these villages
Kongthong

• In Meghalaya's Kongthong village, a mother calls her child by a tune instead of a name. 
• The villagers have two names in Kongthong-a regular name and a song name.
• In fact, the song names have two versions, a short song and a long song.
• The short song is normally used at home. 
• The longer names are used in the forest to keep away evil spirits.
• The musical names are called ‘jingrwai Iawbei’ in the village.
• There are 10 major clans in the village and four of them, namely Khongsit, Majaw, Lynrah and Pohnong, claim to be the founders.

Pochampally in Telangana

• Bhoodan Pochampally is a census town in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana. 
• The place is known for its traditional weave, featuring geometric patterns in ikat style of dyeing, named after the destination.
• There are thousands of looms in this village that produce this textile in bulk. 
• Pochampally sati also received Intellectual Property Rights Protection or Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2005.

Ladhpura Khas in Madhya Pradesh

• Located in Orchha Tehsil of Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh, it is about seven kilometres away from Orchha, another popular tourist destination.
• Orchha is located on the Betwa river.
• Home to several historical forts and monuments, this town in Madhya Pradesh was built by Rudra Pratap Singh in 1501, in the Bundelkhand region. 
• Over time, the pristine beauty of the destination attracted travellers, making it a well-known tourist destination.